Electrical lamp



xaminer 3 5 0 2 7 5 Cross Reference Aug. 27, 1940. c. KUHNEL ELECTRICAL LAMP Filed Dec. 4, 1936 Patented Aug. 27, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application December 4, 1936, Serial No. 114,213 In Germany December 5, 1935 3 Claims.

My invention relates to lighting fixtures which are switched on and ofi by moving a shutter. At the hitherto known fixtures of this kind the full light is instantaneously released when switching on the current. This is found to be troublesome particularly if the lighting fixture is used as a night lamp.

Furthermore it is known to use additional lamp sockets of special construction with a built-in resistance for regulatingthe intensity of light by altering the electric current. Such additionally attached sockets are relatively expensive, they enlarge the length of the fixture and are not easy enough to handle.

My invention consists in an electric lighting fixture, particularly a night lamp the switch of which is coupled with a screen or shutter movable from a position for bright light into a position for subdued light.

Between these two positions the shutteras an essential feature of my inventionshows interpositions for subdued light in which the electric lamp glowing with full intensity is shaded to such an extent that only a small quantity of light may get outside.

The drawing represents my invention by way of an example. Fig. 1 shows a front view and Fig. 2 a side view of a night lamp. On a carrier I, which may be fixed to a wall, particularly the bed wall a switch 2 is provided which may be designed for instance as lever switch or tumbler switch. 3 represents the toggle lever of this switch. Mounted on the carrier or to the switch cover is a lamp socket 4 provided with a lamp 5.

Rotatably mounted on the carrier is a shutter 6 of substantially semi-cylindrical section which normally covers the front of the lamp 5. In conjunction with the shutter 6 is a hand lever 1. Pins 8 and 9 operate the switch lever 3 upon rotative movement of the hand lever to connect and disconnect the lamp circuit. The opening provided in the back of the shutter is covered by a transparent, preferably light dimming screen ID of substantially semi-cylindrical section,

which is rigidly connected to the bracket. C'arried by the lever I is a member H which bears against the closed end of the screen Ill adjacent the socket 4 to hold the lever 1 and shutter 6 in adjusted positions. The wiring 12 may be inserted at l3 into the switch; the insertion may also be efiected from the rear side.

When the hand lever is in the full line position shown in Figure 2 the lamp circuit is broken. If the hand lever I is moved to the dotted line 56 position, the pin 8 engages the switch lever 3 which causes the switch 2 to close the circuit to the lamp 5. In this position the only light emitted is the subdued light passing through the screen l8. Further movement of the hand lever 1 causes the pin 8 to move out of engagement with the switch lever 3, since the latter is on a different center of rotation than the hand lever l. Rotation of the shutter G uncovers serrations at the lower edge of the screen l0 whereby bands of bright light are emitted, and at the same time subdued light passes through the screen Ill. Continued rotation of the hand lever 1 uncovers the opening in the shutter 6 to expose the lamp 5, whereby bright light is emitted therethrough. The possibility of turning the shutter may be arranged in such a way that it may be turned by 180 and more, until the hand lever hits against the Wall.

The shutter S and the screen 10 have the same center but different lengths of radius to provide vacant spaces between the longitudinal edges thereon, so that air circulation is rendered possible when the shutter is closed and the lamp connected. With completely opened shutter the lamp may be conveniently exchanged. One may, if required, screen the lamp when the shutter is opened, whereby somewhat subdued light will be emitted. The lamp may also be fixed to the foot of a pedestal lamp.

By the arrangement of all individual parts of the lamp and particularly of the hand lever at the carrier, a simple and compact design is achieved; bending the shutter, when moving the hand lever is avoided.

It is of particular importance that a hand lever of comparatively large dimensions is used, which one can easily find and operate in the dark and when half asleep. When the circuit is disconnected, the hand lever lies against the mounting wall out of the way, so as not to injure the person in the bed.

Since, the lamp when initially lighted emits only subdued light, the employment of the lamp, especially as night lamp is particularly agreeable.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a lamp for emitting light, a stationary screen having an enlarged opening and a serrated marginal edge, a rotatably mounted shutter movable to one position for closing said enlarged screen opening, means for rotating said shutter to another position with respect to said screen to expose said serrated edge for emission of light from said lamp, said means being operable to rotate said shutter to an advanced position with respect to said screen to expose said eniarged screen opening for emission of light therethrough.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a lamp for emitting light, a stationary translucent screen having an opening therein, a rotatably mounted opaque shutter for closing said screen opening when said shutter is in one position, said screen transmitting subdued light therethrough when said shutter is in said one position, said shutter being of different radius than said screen to overlap the latter, means for rotating said shutter to an advanced position to expose said screen opening for emission of bright light therethrough and to overlap said translucent screen to prevent transmission of light through the overlapped portion of the latter.

'3. A device of the character described, comprising a lamp for emitting light, a stationary translucent screen having one edge serrated and an enlarged opening, a rotatably mounted opaque shutter for closing said enlarged screen opening when said shutter is in one position, said translucent screen transmitting subdued light therethrough when said shutter is in said one position, said shutter being of different radius than said screen to overlap the latter, means for rotating said shutter to another position with respect to said screen to expose said serrated edge for emission of light from said lamp, said means being operable to rotate said shutter to another position with respect to said screen to expose said enlarged screen opening for emission of bright light therethrough and to overlap said translucent screen to prevent transmission of light through the overlapped portion of the latter.

CARL KUHNEL. 

